A MUM has written a letter of complaint to Hampshire’s police chief after her son was left too scared to go to a Saints game after being chased by away fans before Saturday’s match at St Mary’s
Stadium.

Lisa Whitemore is outraged by police for claiming their operation to control Millwall supporters at the first game of the season was a success.

Officers made 14 arrests in connection with the 1-1 draw amid reports of a fist fight in the High Street.

But Lisa said that her 12- year-old son Charlie, pictured right, was forced to hide in a bush to escape a group of Millwall fans who had chased him for wearing his Saints shirt.

The Redbridge School pupil was with two friends walking through Hoglands Park opposite the Yates’ pub in Above Bar Street when they were targeted.

“They started running from the Millwall fans and a police officer told him to hide in a bush,”

said Lisa.

“He was absolutely terrified. He got split up from his friends and when it was clear, ran down through St Mary’s and hid in the churchyard of St Mary’s Church. He then got in a taxi and came
straight home because he was too scared to go to the game.

“How can the police call this a success when there are people out there who will chase and scare the life out of a 12-year-old boy?”

Lisa, from Millbrook, has written to Hampshire’s Chief Constable Alex Marshall calling for answers on how the police handled the crowds and why some pubs
were allowed to serve alcohol to large numbers of fans before the 12.45pm kick-off on Saturday.

Hampshire police launched the joint operation with Metropolitan Police and British Transport Police because of the bad reputation of Millwall supporters.

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After the game Chief Inspector Andy Bottomley said the match was followed by what he described as “some minor incidents of disorder”.

Superintendent Terry Stevens said: “Given the thousands of fans who attended the match, the policing of the game passed successfully without significant incident.

“We committed resources throughout the day and were able to call on the support of other police forces to help contain any problems and keep both sets of fans and the general public safe while
minimising any disruption to the city as a whole.”

mother is partly to blame for allowing a 12 year old to go to a game wearing saints colours against such a bad bunch of supporters as Millwall. Police cannot be everywhere. I do agree that all pubs and clubs withing a 3 or 4 mile radius of the ground should have been closed and there should have been a very high police presence throughout the city.

mother is partly to blame for allowing a 12 year old to go to a game wearing saints colours against such a bad bunch of supporters as Millwall. Police cannot be everywhere. I do agree that all pubs and clubs withing a 3 or 4 mile radius of the ground should have been closed and there should have been a very high police presence throughout the city.saintpeter48

It is the low life of some of these idiots that stop people young or old enjoying them selves, you cannot blame the mother as he had probably been to football matches before with no problems. You cant blame the police as they cannot be everywhere. As the person said all pubs and bars should be closed within a designated area and on trains if there is a bar. Good luck to the lad and hope he can see some more games without the low life being around.

It is the low life of some of these idiots that stop people young or old enjoying them selves, you cannot blame the mother as he had probably been to football matches before with no problems. You cant blame the police as they cannot be everywhere. As the person said all pubs and bars should be closed within a designated area and on trains if there is a bar. Good luck to the lad and hope he can see some more games without the low life being around.espanuel

Typical why didn't he stand his ground and give em a smack get arrested for Affray then hit the headlines for a proper reason If she were my mum i'd be saying MUM shut up I wouldnt want to be known as the boy who ran. Should have said "COME ON THEN YOU MILLWALL SCUM AVE IIITTTTTTTTT"

Typical why didn't he stand his ground and give em a smack get arrested for Affray then hit the headlines for a proper reason If she were my mum i'd be saying MUM shut up I wouldnt want to be known as the boy who ran. Should have said "COME ON THEN YOU MILLWALL SCUM AVE IIITTTTTTTTT"peachy1

saintpeter48 wrote:
mother is partly to blame for allowing a 12 year old to go to a game wearing saints colours against such a bad bunch of supporters as Millwall. Police cannot be everywhere. I do agree that all pubs and clubs withing a 3 or 4 mile radius of the ground should have been closed and there should have been a very high police presence throughout the city.

while i respectthat 12 years old isnt old enough to go unsupervised to a football match, it is hardly the mums fault that a load of Millwall thugs decide to chase the lad is it?
and while police cannot be everywhere, i dont think this is the issue. the police WERE there, at least a policeman was, and to be told to "hide in a bush", is ridiculous and is the sort of comment which leaves many people with no confidence in the police force. The correct procedure would have been to keep the boy safe, whether that means getting him safetly home or calling his mum.

[quote][p][bold]saintpeter48[/bold] wrote:
mother is partly to blame for allowing a 12 year old to go to a game wearing saints colours against such a bad bunch of supporters as Millwall. Police cannot be everywhere. I do agree that all pubs and clubs withing a 3 or 4 mile radius of the ground should have been closed and there should have been a very high police presence throughout the city.[/p][/quote]while i respectthat 12 years old isnt old enough to go unsupervised to a football match, it is hardly the mums fault that a load of Millwall thugs decide to chase the lad is it?
and while police cannot be everywhere, i dont think this is the issue. the police WERE there, at least a policeman was, and to be told to "hide in a bush", is ridiculous and is the sort of comment which leaves many people with no confidence in the police force. The correct procedure would have been to keep the boy safe, whether that means getting him safetly home or calling his mum.OMG

Not all Millwall supporters are scum. My husband has been a Millwalll fan most of his life and we have both travelled to games all over.

He went to the game on Saturday and there were little scuffles but nothing bad that he witnessed (the worst being loads of saints attacking about 3 young Millwall fans (whos the scum now??) Also the Echo has not specified whether it was Millwall or Saints fans that were arrested.

Its very easy to tar all with the same brush!!

Not all Millwall supporters are scum. My husband has been a Millwalll fan most of his life and we have both travelled to games all over.
He went to the game on Saturday and there were little scuffles but nothing bad that he witnessed (the worst being loads of saints attacking about 3 young Millwall fans (whos the scum now??) Also the Echo has not specified whether it was Millwall or Saints fans that were arrested.
Its very easy to tar all with the same brush!!BlueLioness

I would not have let either of my sons attend a football match at The Dell, as it was in those days, without an adult, and certainly not against certain clubs such as Millwall. Policing a football match cannot be much fun for the police - I certainly wouldn't like to do it. They can't win as someone will always blame them if something untoward happens. Drink is still to blame for a lot of the trouble that occurs and many families that I know are still reluctant to go to SMS because of the violent minority. There, I've had my say, now I am sure that someone will want to abuse me for that.

I would not have let either of my sons attend a football match at The Dell, as it was in those days, without an adult, and certainly not against certain clubs such as Millwall. Policing a football match cannot be much fun for the police - I certainly wouldn't like to do it. They can't win as someone will always blame them if something untoward happens. Drink is still to blame for a lot of the trouble that occurs and many families that I know are still reluctant to go to SMS because of the violent minority. There, I've had my say, now I am sure that someone will want to abuse me for that. Nearly an OAP

peachy1 wrote:
Typical why didn't he stand his ground and give em a smack get arrested for Affray then hit the headlines for a proper reason If she were my mum i'd be saying MUM shut up I wouldnt want to be known as the boy who ran. Should have said "COME ON THEN YOU MILLWALL SCUM AVE IIITTTTTTTTT"

I do hope your being sarcastic peachy1.

If you are serious then you need to have a look at yourself, this kid is 12 for god's sake How old are you ? whatever age you are grow up fool.

The mum should have known that Millwall fans are not the nicest bunch and maybe took her son to the game or asked someone else too, however for the police to tell the lad to hide in a bush is bang out order.

Why shut pub's within a four miles radius of the ground? as some have suggested, People can enjoy a drink before and after the game without kicking someone's head in, lets ban alcohol all together because idiots kick off every weekend all over the country, it's not just a football thing, what about shoppers who want a pub lunch on Saturday, sorry there's football match 3 miles away, so you can't have a pint.

[quote][p][bold]peachy1[/bold] wrote:
Typical why didn't he stand his ground and give em a smack get arrested for Affray then hit the headlines for a proper reason If she were my mum i'd be saying MUM shut up I wouldnt want to be known as the boy who ran. Should have said "COME ON THEN YOU MILLWALL SCUM AVE IIITTTTTTTTT"[/p][/quote]I do hope your being sarcastic peachy1.
If you are serious then you need to have a look at yourself, this kid is 12 for god's sake How old are you ? whatever age you are grow up fool.
The mum should have known that Millwall fans are not the nicest bunch and maybe took her son to the game or asked someone else too, however for the police to tell the lad to hide in a bush is bang out order.
Why shut pub's within a four miles radius of the ground? as some have suggested, People can enjoy a drink before and after the game without kicking someone's head in, lets ban alcohol all together because idiots kick off every weekend all over the country, it's not just a football thing, what about shoppers who want a pub lunch on Saturday, sorry there's football match 3 miles away, so you can't have a pint.
Saints Mike

I'm surprised the poor lad has made it to the age of 12 with a Mum who seems to have such abject parental judgement. My boy is nearly 12, he won't be going to football on his own until he is at least 16. This has nothing to do with the club we support, it's called looking after your kids properly. I'll let you into a little secret; sometimes people act aggressively before, during and after football matches. That's why CHILDREN should be accompianed.

I'm surprised the poor lad has made it to the age of 12 with a Mum who seems to have such abject parental judgement. My boy is nearly 12, he won't be going to football on his own until he is at least 16. This has nothing to do with the club we support, it's called looking after your kids properly. I'll let you into a little secret; sometimes people act aggressively before, during and after football matches. That's why CHILDREN should be accompianed.Billwall

It's a sad horrible state of affairs when a twelve year old can't go to a football game to support his team in safety in his city.
Blame the Millwall yobs,
blame the police,in fact blame everyone but Lisa Whitemore,bottom line is,at
just twelve years old she is responsible for her son and his safety and she should have made sure he was going to be okay.
It's all right being outraged if you've done everything in your power to make sure of things,she didn't.

It's a sad horrible state of affairs when a twelve year old can't go to a football game to support his team in safety in his city.
Blame the Millwall yobs,
blame the police,in fact blame everyone but Lisa Whitemore,bottom line is,at
just twelve years old she is responsible for her son and his safety and she should have made sure he was going to be okay.
It's all right being outraged if you've done everything in your power to make sure of things,she didn't.bumblysaint

BlueLioness wrote:
Not all Millwall supporters are scum. My husband has been a Millwalll fan most of his life and we have both travelled to games all over. He went to the game on Saturday and there were little scuffles but nothing bad that he witnessed (the worst being loads of saints attacking about 3 young Millwall fans (whos the scum now??) Also the Echo has not specified whether it was Millwall or Saints fans that were arrested. Its very easy to tar all with the same brush!!

All clubs have a minority of no brained idiots as part of their fan base, but the majority remain decent minded followers. The fact remains that history proves Millwall FC amongst the country’s worst offenders in respect of hooligans attending games, and this young lad should have been able to walk to a football ground and support whatever team he wishes. The lioness comments appear to justify these acts by comparing this with another violent incident – An eye for an eye opinion will only fuel this scourge of our game and you have just endorsed that ethos.

[quote][p][bold]BlueLioness[/bold] wrote:
Not all Millwall supporters are scum. My husband has been a Millwalll fan most of his life and we have both travelled to games all over. He went to the game on Saturday and there were little scuffles but nothing bad that he witnessed (the worst being loads of saints attacking about 3 young Millwall fans (whos the scum now??) Also the Echo has not specified whether it was Millwall or Saints fans that were arrested. Its very easy to tar all with the same brush!![/p][/quote]All clubs have a minority of no brained idiots as part of their fan base, but the majority remain decent minded followers. The fact remains that history proves Millwall FC amongst the country’s worst offenders in respect of hooligans attending games, and this young lad should have been able to walk to a football ground and support whatever team he wishes. The lioness comments appear to justify these acts by comparing this with another violent incident – An eye for an eye opinion will only fuel this scourge of our game and you have just endorsed that ethos.St.DaveH

BlueLioness wrote:
Not all Millwall supporters are scum. My husband has been a Millwalll fan most of his life and we have both travelled to games all over. He went to the game on Saturday and there were little scuffles but nothing bad that he witnessed (the worst being loads of saints attacking about 3 young Millwall fans (whos the scum now??) Also the Echo has not specified whether it was Millwall or Saints fans that were arrested. Its very easy to tar all with the same brush!!

All clubs have a minority of no brained idiots as part of their fan base, but the majority remain decent minded followers. The fact remains that history proves Millwall FC amongst the country’s worst offenders in respect of hooligans attending games, and this young lad should have been able to walk to a football ground and support whatever team he wishes. The lioness comments appear to justify these acts by comparing this with another violent incident – An eye for an eye opinion will only fuel this scourge of our game and you have just endorsed that ethos.

I agree as usual a few spoil it for everyone and ruin football as a result. This lad should easily have been to go to watch saints with his friends at his age.It's not a question of bad parenting some peolple are to over protective,hes at an age where doing things with your mum is just plain uncool. Well lad if you want to go an see saints i'll be more than happy for you and your mates to tag along with us on home games we'll meet you before the game and after so you all get home safe.

[quote][p][bold]St.DaveH[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]BlueLioness[/bold] wrote:
Not all Millwall supporters are scum. My husband has been a Millwalll fan most of his life and we have both travelled to games all over. He went to the game on Saturday and there were little scuffles but nothing bad that he witnessed (the worst being loads of saints attacking about 3 young Millwall fans (whos the scum now??) Also the Echo has not specified whether it was Millwall or Saints fans that were arrested. Its very easy to tar all with the same brush!![/p][/quote]All clubs have a minority of no brained idiots as part of their fan base, but the majority remain decent minded followers. The fact remains that history proves Millwall FC amongst the country’s worst offenders in respect of hooligans attending games, and this young lad should have been able to walk to a football ground and support whatever team he wishes. The lioness comments appear to justify these acts by comparing this with another violent incident – An eye for an eye opinion will only fuel this scourge of our game and you have just endorsed that ethos.[/p][/quote]I agree as usual a few spoil it for everyone and ruin football as a result. This lad should easily have been to go to watch saints with his friends at his age.It's not a question of bad parenting some peolple are to over protective,hes at an age where doing things with your mum is just plain uncool. Well lad if you want to go an see saints i'll be more than happy for you and your mates to tag along with us on home games we'll meet you before the game and after so you all get home safe.Was 8 in 76

I completely agree that any person, young or old, supporting any team good or bad should be able to walk to a game without being scared or worried about being attacked and I was not trying to justify one bad act for another and definately not against a young lad as I have young children myself!!

I was merely pointing out that its not always the Millwall fans that start the trouble!! Yes they do have a bad reputation which some love to uphold to the highest!!

I completely agree that any person, young or old, supporting any team good or bad should be able to walk to a game without being scared or worried about being attacked and I was not trying to justify one bad act for another and definately not against a young lad as I have young children myself!!
I was merely pointing out that its not always the Millwall fans that start the trouble!! Yes they do have a bad reputation which some love to uphold to the highest!! BlueLioness

What sort of parent allows a 12yr old to go to a match alone anyway!!
Even more so when the team we are playing are Millwall, I agree that he should be able to freely go where he wants with out fear but come on in todays day and age have some sence woman!!!

What sort of parent allows a 12yr old to go to a match alone anyway!!
Even more so when the team we are playing are Millwall, I agree that he should be able to freely go where he wants with out fear but come on in todays day and age have some sence woman!!!kay08

kay08 wrote:
What sort of parent allows a 12yr old to go to a match alone anyway!! Even more so when the team we are playing are Millwall, I agree that he should be able to freely go where he wants with out fear but come on in todays day and age have some sence woman!!!

Typical comment from somebody who has obviously never attended a football match.

It should be perfectly safe for a 12 year old lad to go to a game with a couple of his mates at midday on a Saturday. There will have been hundreds of youngsters going to the game with their mates - it's part of growing up. So don't berate his mum.

Normally the idiots looking for trouble will have arranged their rumble with their counterparts from the opposing team some time in advance.

In this case it would appear that the Millwall morons lived up to their reputation and picked on some twelve year olds.

[quote][p][bold]kay08[/bold] wrote:
What sort of parent allows a 12yr old to go to a match alone anyway!! Even more so when the team we are playing are Millwall, I agree that he should be able to freely go where he wants with out fear but come on in todays day and age have some sence woman!!![/p][/quote]Typical comment from somebody who has obviously never attended a football match.
It should be perfectly safe for a 12 year old lad to go to a game with a couple of his mates at midday on a Saturday. There will have been hundreds of youngsters going to the game with their mates - it's part of growing up. So don't berate his mum.
Normally the idiots looking for trouble will have arranged their rumble with their counterparts from the opposing team some time in advance.
In this case it would appear that the Millwall morons lived up to their reputation and picked on some twelve year olds.
Carpe Diem

Last season we allowed our 12 year old to attend the match V Doncaster, hardly footballs largest or most agressive away fans. However it was Saints fans who caused the trouble. Over 400 outside the ground and not a policeman in sight. Its not the age of the child, nor is it the teams who are playing, neither is it the police's fault. Its mindless thugs who attach themselves as 'supporters' like leaches. These thugs can often be seen 'playing' park football on Sunday mornings, setting a 'good example' to the next generations of supporters and players who actually DO want to enjoy the 'sport'.

Last season we allowed our 12 year old to attend the match V Doncaster, hardly footballs largest or most agressive away fans. However it was Saints fans who caused the trouble. Over 400 outside the ground and not a policeman in sight. Its not the age of the child, nor is it the teams who are playing, neither is it the police's fault. Its mindless thugs who attach themselves as 'supporters' like leaches. These thugs can often be seen 'playing' park football on Sunday mornings, setting a 'good example' to the next generations of supporters and players who actually DO want to enjoy the 'sport'.SouthamptonMan

kay08 wrote: What sort of parent allows a 12yr old to go to a match alone anyway!! Even more so when the team we are playing are Millwall, I agree that he should be able to freely go where he wants with out fear but come on in todays day and age have some sence woman!!!

Typical comment from somebody who has obviously never attended a football match. It should be perfectly safe for a 12 year old lad to go to a game with a couple of his mates at midday on a Saturday. There will have been hundreds of youngsters going to the game with their mates - it's part of growing up. So don't berate his mum. Normally the idiots looking for trouble will have arranged their rumble with their counterparts from the opposing team some time in advance. In this case it would appear that the Millwall morons lived up to their reputation and picked on some twelve year olds.

Are you genuinely that dim?

1. There is no independannt verification of this story- just an account of a 12 year old who seemed to spend all of saturday aftermnoon running.
2. The reputation of Millwall supporters is utterly unwarranted however, given that reputation, would you allow your children to wander around the town centre- alone?
3. Do you genuinley believe that a Police Officer, had he thought the young lad was in genuine danger, suggest to him to hide in a bush?

There are more holes in this story than in the Saints defence. It's another page filler regarding the alleged behaviour of Millwall supporters. Shall we conveniently forget the promised "lively" reception your support were going to give the peace loving folk from South London?

[quote][p][bold]Carpe Diem[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]kay08[/bold] wrote: What sort of parent allows a 12yr old to go to a match alone anyway!! Even more so when the team we are playing are Millwall, I agree that he should be able to freely go where he wants with out fear but come on in todays day and age have some sence woman!!![/p][/quote]Typical comment from somebody who has obviously never attended a football match. It should be perfectly safe for a 12 year old lad to go to a game with a couple of his mates at midday on a Saturday. There will have been hundreds of youngsters going to the game with their mates - it's part of growing up. So don't berate his mum. Normally the idiots looking for trouble will have arranged their rumble with their counterparts from the opposing team some time in advance. In this case it would appear that the Millwall morons lived up to their reputation and picked on some twelve year olds. [/p][/quote]Are you genuinely that dim?
1. There is no independannt verification of this story- just an account of a 12 year old who seemed to spend all of saturday aftermnoon running.
2. The reputation of Millwall supporters is utterly unwarranted however, given that reputation, would you allow your children to wander around the town centre- alone?
3. Do you genuinley believe that a Police Officer, had he thought the young lad was in genuine danger, suggest to him to hide in a bush?
There are more holes in this story than in the Saints defence. It's another page filler regarding the alleged behaviour of Millwall supporters. Shall we conveniently forget the promised "lively" reception your support were going to give the peace loving folk from South London?Billwall

saintpeter48 wrote:
mother is partly to blame for allowing a 12 year old to go to a game wearing saints colours against such a bad bunch of supporters as Millwall. Police cannot be everywhere. I do agree that all pubs and clubs withing a 3 or 4 mile radius of the ground should have been closed and there should have been a very high police presence throughout the city.

By your reckoning it would mean nearly every pub within the city boundary would have had to be closed - as most of them are within 4 miles of St Mary's.

Get real - don't impose stupid restrictions on the majority of law abiding citizens because a tiny percentage can't behave. 14 arrests where 20,000 attended is 0.07 percent.

[quote][p][bold]saintpeter48[/bold] wrote:
mother is partly to blame for allowing a 12 year old to go to a game wearing saints colours against such a bad bunch of supporters as Millwall. Police cannot be everywhere. I do agree that all pubs and clubs withing a 3 or 4 mile radius of the ground should have been closed and there should have been a very high police presence throughout the city.[/p][/quote]By your reckoning it would mean nearly every pub within the city boundary would have had to be closed - as most of them are within 4 miles of St Mary's.
Get real - don't impose stupid restrictions on the majority of law abiding citizens because a tiny percentage can't behave. 14 arrests where 20,000 attended is 0.07 percent.Carpe Diem

saintpeter48 wrote: mother is partly to blame for allowing a 12 year old to go to a game wearing saints colours against such a bad bunch of supporters as Millwall. Police cannot be everywhere. I do agree that all pubs and clubs withing a 3 or 4 mile radius of the ground should have been closed and there should have been a very high police presence throughout the city.

By your reckoning it would mean nearly every pub within the city boundary would have had to be closed - as most of them are within 4 miles of St Mary's. Get real - don't impose stupid restrictions on the majority of law abiding citizens because a tiny percentage can't behave. 14 arrests where 20,000 attended is 0.07 percent.

so what!! If people can't go a few hours without a drink then that is a very sad state of affairs. I like a pint the same as most but as always its a few that'll ruin it for the majority, after all, the pubs will be open tomorrow and the next day and the next etc etc.......life and football shouldn't revolve around pubs and drink!!

[quote][p][bold]Carpe Diem[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]saintpeter48[/bold] wrote: mother is partly to blame for allowing a 12 year old to go to a game wearing saints colours against such a bad bunch of supporters as Millwall. Police cannot be everywhere. I do agree that all pubs and clubs withing a 3 or 4 mile radius of the ground should have been closed and there should have been a very high police presence throughout the city.[/p][/quote]By your reckoning it would mean nearly every pub within the city boundary would have had to be closed - as most of them are within 4 miles of St Mary's. Get real - don't impose stupid restrictions on the majority of law abiding citizens because a tiny percentage can't behave. 14 arrests where 20,000 attended is 0.07 percent.[/p][/quote]so what!! If people can't go a few hours without a drink then that is a very sad state of affairs. I like a pint the same as most but as always its a few that'll ruin it for the majority, after all, the pubs will be open tomorrow and the next day and the next etc etc.......life and football shouldn't revolve around pubs and drink!!saintpeter48

SHE'S FROM MILLBROOK.......IF IT WAS HER CHAV SON CHASING MILLWALL, THE "WELL DONES" WOULD BE ALL SHE WOULD SAY...........TRUTH IS, SHE'S LOOKING FOR A PAYOUT..............
..TYPICAL MILLBROOK CHAV CHANCERS............
.

SHE'S FROM MILLBROOK.......IF IT WAS HER CHAV SON CHASING MILLWALL, THE "WELL DONES" WOULD BE ALL SHE WOULD SAY...........TRUTH IS, SHE'S LOOKING FOR A PAYOUT..............
..TYPICAL MILLBROOK CHAV CHANCERS............
.DONT-KNOCK-THE-ROCK

"Lisa, from Millbrook, has written to Hampshire’s Chief Constable Alex Marshall calling for answers on how the police handled the crowds and why some pubs were allowed to serve alcohol to large numbers of fans before the 12.45pm kick-off on Saturday".

WHILST SOME PARENTS WILL BE WRITING TO SOCIAL SERVICES, ASKING HOW LONG SHOULD WE WAIT BEFORE MOTHERS AND FATHERS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR LETTING THEIR 12 YEAR OLD SON, GO TO SEE THE TEAM, WITH ARGUABLY THE MOST VIOLENT FANS IN EUROPE..............
.

"Lisa, from Millbrook, has written to Hampshire’s Chief Constable Alex Marshall calling for answers on how the police handled the crowds and why some pubs were allowed to serve alcohol to large numbers of fans before the 12.45pm kick-off on Saturday".
WHILST SOME PARENTS WILL BE WRITING TO SOCIAL SERVICES, ASKING HOW LONG SHOULD WE WAIT BEFORE MOTHERS AND FATHERS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR LETTING THEIR 12 YEAR OLD SON, GO TO SEE THE TEAM, WITH ARGUABLY THE MOST VIOLENT FANS IN EUROPE..............
.DONT-KNOCK-THE-ROCK

Thanks Mum for making me look like a right girl, is what I'd be saying. Can you imagine the grief the lad'll get on his return to school? I doubt he would've got a kicking - even from a bunch of Millwall. I bet they made to chase, took a few steps to scare him and now his mam's gone and blown it out of all proportion.
And what's this about not letting a 12 year-old out and about on his tod (or with mates)? It's this kind of paronoia that annoys me. There aren't any more paedos around than when I was a kid and there's certainly less footy violence about. Running from a bunch of hoolies (West Ham I think it was and no I'm not ashamed to say I ran, they were well scary) when I was a kid a was a seminal moment.
Kids IMHO are too wrapped up in cotton wool nowadays and Sun/Mail/Screws readers are too paronoid to see that beyond their front door is a world not much different from the one they grew up in. Get a life and let the kids roam and have some fun.

Thanks Mum for making me look like a right girl, is what I'd be saying. Can you imagine the grief the lad'll get on his return to school? I doubt he would've got a kicking - even from a bunch of Millwall. I bet they made to chase, took a few steps to scare him and now his mam's gone and blown it out of all proportion.
And what's this about not letting a 12 year-old out and about on his tod (or with mates)? It's this kind of paronoia that annoys me. There aren't any more paedos around than when I was a kid and there's certainly less footy violence about. Running from a bunch of hoolies (West Ham I think it was and no I'm not ashamed to say I ran, they were well scary) when I was a kid a was a seminal moment.
Kids IMHO are too wrapped up in cotton wool nowadays and Sun/Mail/Screws readers are too paronoid to see that beyond their front door is a world not much different from the one they grew up in. Get a life and let the kids roam and have some fun.BrixtonSaint

no matter how violent a football clubs fans are, there's no way they would be or should be chasing kids, clearly he's gone to the match with his friends under the usual impresion that they are too young to be involved in any fisty cuffs, and would keep themselves to themselves.
For a policeman to tell him to hide in bush is typical of the policing that day.
I witnessesed one saints fan get knocked out (literally couldn't stand up) by a millwall 'fan' whilst the millwall police escort did nothing but watch.
There was nothing near the level of surcurity that there should have been.
When I went to watch saints play Bristol last season, which I don't consider to be any greater a threat, there were riot police all around the station and stadium both before and after the match.

no matter how violent a football clubs fans are, there's no way they would be or should be chasing kids, clearly he's gone to the match with his friends under the usual impresion that they are too young to be involved in any fisty cuffs, and would keep themselves to themselves.
For a policeman to tell him to hide in bush is typical of the policing that day.
I witnessesed one saints fan get knocked out (literally couldn't stand up) by a millwall 'fan' whilst the millwall police escort did nothing but watch.
There was nothing near the level of surcurity that there should have been.
When I went to watch saints play Bristol last season, which I don't consider to be any greater a threat, there were riot police all around the station and stadium both before and after the match.garlic

I don't want to sound old-fashioned but where was this boy's dad in all this? Surely it's a rights of passage thing for a father to take his son to the football? Children should be treated as children, not expected to be young adults.

I don't want to sound old-fashioned but where was this boy's dad in all this? Surely it's a rights of passage thing for a father to take his son to the football? Children should be treated as children, not expected to be young adults.Condor Man

I was in Yates for breakfast at 9am Saturday and they started serving beer at 10am! At approximately 10.15 about 100 Millwall fans appeared from nowhere and took the pub over. Singing and shouting. Yates also has one of those machines where you put your money in and punch the punchball as hard as you can like those that you see at fairgrounds. This was being put to full use by one thug after the other at which point we made a hasty exit I wander if they bought that machine in especially because it was taking pound after pound??!!!

I was in Yates for breakfast at 9am Saturday and they started serving beer at 10am! At approximately 10.15 about 100 Millwall fans appeared from nowhere and took the pub over. Singing and shouting. Yates also has one of those machines where you put your money in and punch the punchball as hard as you can like those that you see at fairgrounds. This was being put to full use by one thug after the other at which point we made a hasty exit I wander if they bought that machine in especially because it was taking pound after pound??!!!Reality-man

And what exactly makes these fans thugs just because they are punching a machine which is designed for that use? That machine is punched by the vast majority of the male customers who drink there every day!!!!

Granted, Millwall are no angels but people are only winging because of their reputation as they are an easy target for people who know nothing about the club or their fans except what they have read in the gutter press or from certain hooligan films.

Saturday was no different from most other high profile matches in the town with the exception of some Soton fans being extra eager to make a name for themselves because they are up against Millwall!!

Games against Man United, Cardiff, Pompey and Bristol City always produced more violent incidents than games against Millwall do and that is fact!!

And what exactly makes these fans thugs just because they are punching a machine which is designed for that use? That machine is punched by the vast majority of the male customers who drink there every day!!!!
Granted, Millwall are no angels but people are only winging because of their reputation as they are an easy target for people who know nothing about the club or their fans except what they have read in the gutter press or from certain hooligan films.
Saturday was no different from most other high profile matches in the town with the exception of some Soton fans being extra eager to make a name for themselves because they are up against Millwall!!
Games against Man United, Cardiff, Pompey and Bristol City always produced more violent incidents than games against Millwall do and that is fact!!BlueLioness

Charlie you did the right thing,and if you ever get in a situation where you are chased and outnumbered 50-1 do the same thing run and hide there is no shame in that,those bullies like so many today are brave in a gang,but in your position would do the same.You used your brain those drunken louts dont have one between them.

Charlie you did the right thing,and if you ever get in a situation where you are chased and outnumbered 50-1 do the same thing run and hide there is no shame in that,those bullies like so many today are brave in a gang,but in your position would do the same.You used your brain those drunken louts dont have one between them.The Grey Mystery

SouthamptonMan wrote:
Last season we allowed our 12 year old to attend the match V Doncaster, hardly footballs largest or most agressive away fans. However it was Saints fans who caused the trouble. Over 400 outside the ground and not a policeman in sight. Its not the age of the child, nor is it the teams who are playing, neither is it the police's fault. Its mindless thugs who attach themselves as 'supporters' like leaches. These thugs can often be seen 'playing' park football on Sunday mornings, setting a 'good example' to the next generations of supporters and players who actually DO want to enjoy the 'sport'.

Dear oh dear oh dear. What axe have you got to grind? I played park football (Saturdays and Sundays) all through my late teens, twenties and thirties and then as a veteran and found it no different than any other walk of life. Thugs will be thugs whatever they are doing (watching or playing any sport). Some teams I played against were known for having one or two or more thugs in the side and tempers did fray on occassion but rarely did things get more serious than the odd punch up which other players quickly diffused. Every league club has a thug element with some having more thugs than others but by far the majority of people who attend matches are decent honest law abiding citizens who want nothing more than to enjoy watching their team win and maybe enjoy a bit of banter. Don't blow it out of proportion. Yes, 12 year olds should feel safe attending matches and for the most part they are safe but it is every parent's responsibility (duty?) to exercise a degree of judgement. There is potential for trouble of some degree at almost any football match (just as there is at almost any gathering of young people) and we all know that there are some games you have to be more careful at than others. It is a sad fact of life but a fact nonetheless. You can't wrap a 12 year old boy up in cotton wool but Millwall at home on the first day of the season? I would have been wary about my 14 year old going on his own let alone a 12 year old.

[quote][p][bold]SouthamptonMan[/bold] wrote:
Last season we allowed our 12 year old to attend the match V Doncaster, hardly footballs largest or most agressive away fans. However it was Saints fans who caused the trouble. Over 400 outside the ground and not a policeman in sight. Its not the age of the child, nor is it the teams who are playing, neither is it the police's fault. Its mindless thugs who attach themselves as 'supporters' like leaches. These thugs can often be seen 'playing' park football on Sunday mornings, setting a 'good example' to the next generations of supporters and players who actually DO want to enjoy the 'sport'.[/p][/quote]Dear oh dear oh dear. What axe have you got to grind? I played park football (Saturdays and Sundays) all through my late teens, twenties and thirties and then as a veteran and found it no different than any other walk of life. Thugs will be thugs whatever they are doing (watching or playing any sport). Some teams I played against were known for having one or two or more thugs in the side and tempers did fray on occassion but rarely did things get more serious than the odd punch up which other players quickly diffused. Every league club has a thug element with some having more thugs than others but by far the majority of people who attend matches are decent honest law abiding citizens who want nothing more than to enjoy watching their team win and maybe enjoy a bit of banter. Don't blow it out of proportion. Yes, 12 year olds should feel safe attending matches and for the most part they are safe but it is every parent's responsibility (duty?) to exercise a degree of judgement. There is potential for trouble of some degree at almost any football match (just as there is at almost any gathering of young people) and we all know that there are some games you have to be more careful at than others. It is a sad fact of life but a fact nonetheless. You can't wrap a 12 year old boy up in cotton wool but Millwall at home on the first day of the season? I would have been wary about my 14 year old going on his own let alone a 12 year old. Captain Kirk

saintpeter48 wrote: mother is partly to blame for allowing a 12 year old to go to a game wearing saints colours against such a bad bunch of supporters as Millwall. Police cannot be everywhere. I do agree that all pubs and clubs withing a 3 or 4 mile radius of the ground should have been closed and there should have been a very high police presence throughout the city.

By your reckoning it would mean nearly every pub within the city boundary would have had to be closed - as most of them are within 4 miles of St Mary's. Get real - don't impose stupid restrictions on the majority of law abiding citizens because a tiny percentage can't behave. 14 arrests where 20,000 attended is 0.07 percent.

so what!! If people can't go a few hours without a drink then that is a very sad state of affairs. I like a pint the same as most but as always its a few that'll ruin it for the majority, after all, the pubs will be open tomorrow and the next day and the next etc etc.......life and football shouldn't revolve around pubs and drink!!

You simply reiterate my point - why should I be denied the right to have a couple of pints on a Saturday lunch time because of a few morons playing up 4 miles away. Knee-jerk reactions like yours are the reason we are the most spied on country in the world. Next you'll be suggesting that all supermarkets have to stop selling alcohol on match days, just in case they are close to the ground !

Get real !

[quote][p][bold]saintpeter48[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Carpe Diem[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]saintpeter48[/bold] wrote: mother is partly to blame for allowing a 12 year old to go to a game wearing saints colours against such a bad bunch of supporters as Millwall. Police cannot be everywhere. I do agree that all pubs and clubs withing a 3 or 4 mile radius of the ground should have been closed and there should have been a very high police presence throughout the city.[/p][/quote]By your reckoning it would mean nearly every pub within the city boundary would have had to be closed - as most of them are within 4 miles of St Mary's. Get real - don't impose stupid restrictions on the majority of law abiding citizens because a tiny percentage can't behave. 14 arrests where 20,000 attended is 0.07 percent.[/p][/quote]so what!! If people can't go a few hours without a drink then that is a very sad state of affairs. I like a pint the same as most but as always its a few that'll ruin it for the majority, after all, the pubs will be open tomorrow and the next day and the next etc etc.......life and football shouldn't revolve around pubs and drink!![/p][/quote]You simply reiterate my point - why should I be denied the right to have a couple of pints on a Saturday lunch time because of a few morons playing up 4 miles away. Knee-jerk reactions like yours are the reason we are the most spied on country in the world. Next you'll be suggesting that all supermarkets have to stop selling alcohol on match days, just in case they are close to the ground !
Get real !Carpe Diem

I WAS THRETEANED BY A MILLWALL FAN AND GUESS WHAT I DID IS SPAT IN HIS FACE AND TOLD HIM TO GET OUT OF MY TOWN CENTRE WHILST HE COULD FUNNY ENOUGH I DIDN'T RUN BUT THEY DID DON'T LIKE MY COMMENT TOUGH

I WAS THRETEANED BY A MILLWALL FAN AND GUESS WHAT I DID IS SPAT IN HIS FACE AND TOLD HIM TO GET OUT OF MY TOWN CENTRE WHILST HE COULD FUNNY ENOUGH I DIDN'T RUN BUT THEY DID DON'T LIKE MY COMMENT TOUGH peachy1

Sadly,no one is safe at football matches. I wonder how much trade the city centre loses every time, a football match is on. Football is no longer a spectator sport - it has been ruined by a minority who just want to fight and generally cause chaos.

Sadly,no one is safe at football matches. I wonder how much trade the city centre loses every time, a football match is on. Football is no longer a spectator sport - it has been ruined by a minority who just want to fight and generally cause chaos.sadtobehere

saintpeter48 wrote: mother is partly to blame for allowing a 12 year old to go to a game wearing saints colours against such a bad bunch of supporters as Millwall. Police cannot be everywhere. I do agree that all pubs and clubs withing a 3 or 4 mile radius of the ground should have been closed and there should have been a very high police presence throughout the city.

By your reckoning it would mean nearly every pub within the city boundary would have had to be closed - as most of them are within 4 miles of St Mary's. Get real - don't impose stupid restrictions on the majority of law abiding citizens because a tiny percentage can't behave. 14 arrests where 20,000 attended is 0.07 percent.

so what!! If people can't go a few hours without a drink then that is a very sad state of affairs. I like a pint the same as most but as always its a few that'll ruin it for the majority, after all, the pubs will be open tomorrow and the next day and the next etc etc.......life and football shouldn't revolve around pubs and drink!!

You simply reiterate my point - why should I be denied the right to have a couple of pints on a Saturday lunch time because of a few morons playing up 4 miles away. Knee-jerk reactions like yours are the reason we are the most spied on country in the world. Next you'll be suggesting that all supermarkets have to stop selling alcohol on match days, just in case they are close to the ground !

Get real !

saintpeter48, you should read my comment yesterday,

Should we close all pubs on a Friday and Saturday night then?

14 arrests were made because of football, How many arrests were made last weekend on the city streets for drunken fights?

I think you will find it was more than 14, so lets close pubs altogether.

[quote][p][bold]Carpe Diem[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]saintpeter48[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]Carpe Diem[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]saintpeter48[/bold] wrote: mother is partly to blame for allowing a 12 year old to go to a game wearing saints colours against such a bad bunch of supporters as Millwall. Police cannot be everywhere. I do agree that all pubs and clubs withing a 3 or 4 mile radius of the ground should have been closed and there should have been a very high police presence throughout the city.[/p][/quote]By your reckoning it would mean nearly every pub within the city boundary would have had to be closed - as most of them are within 4 miles of St Mary's. Get real - don't impose stupid restrictions on the majority of law abiding citizens because a tiny percentage can't behave. 14 arrests where 20,000 attended is 0.07 percent.[/p][/quote]so what!! If people can't go a few hours without a drink then that is a very sad state of affairs. I like a pint the same as most but as always its a few that'll ruin it for the majority, after all, the pubs will be open tomorrow and the next day and the next etc etc.......life and football shouldn't revolve around pubs and drink!![/p][/quote]You simply reiterate my point - why should I be denied the right to have a couple of pints on a Saturday lunch time because of a few morons playing up 4 miles away. Knee-jerk reactions like yours are the reason we are the most spied on country in the world. Next you'll be suggesting that all supermarkets have to stop selling alcohol on match days, just in case they are close to the ground !
Get real ![/p][/quote]saintpeter48, you should read my comment yesterday,
Should we close all pubs on a Friday and Saturday night then?
14 arrests were made because of football, How many arrests were made last weekend on the city streets for drunken fights?
I think you will find it was more than 14, so lets close pubs altogether.Saints Mike

peachy1 wrote:
I WAS THRETEANED BY A MILLWALL FAN AND GUESS WHAT I DID IS SPAT IN HIS FACE AND TOLD HIM TO GET OUT OF MY TOWN CENTRE WHILST HE COULD FUNNY ENOUGH I DIDN'T RUN BUT THEY DID DON'T LIKE MY COMMENT TOUGH

OI, IDIOT. DID YOU DID SPAT IN HIS FACE? AND DID THEY DIDN'T DON'T LIKE YOUR COMMENT?............
....................
...WELL PEACHY YOU FOOL, I DON'T DIDN'T DO DAT, DOE DER MILLWALL DON'T DO DIDN'TS, DO YOU DID GET DAT? YOU DOPEY DO DO DIDN'T DON'T DUNCE...............
........

[quote][p][bold]peachy1[/bold] wrote:
I WAS THRETEANED BY A MILLWALL FAN AND GUESS WHAT I DID IS SPAT IN HIS FACE AND TOLD HIM TO GET OUT OF MY TOWN CENTRE WHILST HE COULD FUNNY ENOUGH I DIDN'T RUN BUT THEY DID DON'T LIKE MY COMMENT TOUGH [/p][/quote]OI, IDIOT. DID YOU DID SPAT IN HIS FACE? AND DID THEY DIDN'T DON'T LIKE YOUR COMMENT?............
....................
...WELL PEACHY YOU FOOL, I DON'T DIDN'T DO DAT, DOE DER MILLWALL DON'T DO DIDN'TS, DO YOU DID GET DAT? YOU DOPEY DO DO DIDN'T DON'T DUNCE...............
........DONT-KNOCK-THE-ROCK

TheJoiners wrote:
Cant believe he ran, big poof. Should have been in the Warrens when they came down, nowhere to run in those days

THAT'S TRUE....YOU ALL HID IN BOGS................
THEN YOU TRIED GOING TO THE PAINTED WAGON, AND GOT AN HIDING BY THE YOUNGSTERS THERE ASWELL..............
.......NOT YOUR DAY IS IT?

[quote][p][bold]TheJoiners[/bold] wrote:
Cant believe he ran, big poof. Should have been in the Warrens when they came down, nowhere to run in those days[/p][/quote]THAT'S TRUE....YOU ALL HID IN BOGS................
THEN YOU TRIED GOING TO THE PAINTED WAGON, AND GOT AN HIDING BY THE YOUNGSTERS THERE ASWELL..............
.......NOT YOUR DAY IS IT?DONT-KNOCK-THE-ROCK

kay08 wrote: What sort of parent allows a 12yr old to go to a match alone anyway!! Even more so when the team we are playing are Millwall, I agree that he should be able to freely go where he wants with out fear but come on in todays day and age have some sence woman!!!

Typical comment from somebody who has obviously never attended a football match. It should be perfectly safe for a 12 year old lad to go to a game with a couple of his mates at midday on a Saturday. There will have been hundreds of youngsters going to the game with their mates - it's part of growing up. So don't berate his mum. Normally the idiots looking for trouble will have arranged their rumble with their counterparts from the opposing team some time in advance. In this case it would appear that the Millwall morons lived up to their reputation and picked on some twelve year olds.

Never been to a football match! As I work there Ive been to every game at St Marys since the ground opened and several away games in my own time as well!! I also have a 12yr old son and There is no way I would allow him to go to a match on his own, TBH it would worry me far more how some of our own youth fans act than the majority of away supporters, How ever wrong it maybe and yes kids should be safe but in todays day and age why put children at risk.

[quote][p][bold]Carpe Diem[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]kay08[/bold] wrote: What sort of parent allows a 12yr old to go to a match alone anyway!! Even more so when the team we are playing are Millwall, I agree that he should be able to freely go where he wants with out fear but come on in todays day and age have some sence woman!!![/p][/quote]Typical comment from somebody who has obviously never attended a football match. It should be perfectly safe for a 12 year old lad to go to a game with a couple of his mates at midday on a Saturday. There will have been hundreds of youngsters going to the game with their mates - it's part of growing up. So don't berate his mum. Normally the idiots looking for trouble will have arranged their rumble with their counterparts from the opposing team some time in advance. In this case it would appear that the Millwall morons lived up to their reputation and picked on some twelve year olds. [/p][/quote]Never been to a football match! As I work there Ive been to every game at St Marys since the ground opened and several away games in my own time as well!! I also have a 12yr old son and There is no way I would allow him to go to a match on his own, TBH it would worry me far more how some of our own youth fans act than the majority of away supporters, How ever wrong it maybe and yes kids should be safe but in todays day and age why put children at risk.kay08

Am I wrong to let our sensible 14yr old, with mobile phone and list of do's and dont's go with his friends to a saints match without an adult, I dont really have a problem with that, however much you wish to wrap them up in cotton wool they have to start to become independent at some age and surely they are safer at a match than wandering around the streets. If I was going to the match and saw anyone being picked on I would hope that I would intervene its a family game and hopefully the saints supporters treat other Saints fans as family.However you do have to take some responsiblilty as a parent if things do go wrong but the police should be there to properly protect any member of the public what ever their age.From a always anxious mother

Am I wrong to let our sensible 14yr old, with mobile phone and list of do's and dont's go with his friends to a saints match without an adult, I dont really have a problem with that, however much you wish to wrap them up in cotton wool they have to start to become independent at some age and surely they are safer at a match than wandering around the streets. If I was going to the match and saw anyone being picked on I would hope that I would intervene its a family game and hopefully the saints supporters treat other Saints fans as family.However you do have to take some responsiblilty as a parent if things do go wrong but the police should be there to properly protect any member of the public what ever their age.From a always anxious motherold owl

I dont believe for one moment that any police officer or PCSO would have told the boy to "hide in the bushes"; its a story beyond all credulity and certainly not in any police training that currently or previously exists. If this is what the mother thinks of the police then she is the one with the problem. The chances are that if the police had been properly inforned they would have allowed the boy to be escorted to the game by themselves or safely put on a bus home. They would also have attempted to find the culprits.

Good story but short on facts.

I dont believe for one moment that any police officer or PCSO would have told the boy to "hide in the bushes"; its a story beyond all credulity and certainly not in any police training that currently or previously exists. If this is what the mother thinks of the police then she is the one with the problem. The chances are that if the police had been properly inforned they would have allowed the boy to be escorted to the game by themselves or safely put on a bus home. They would also have attempted to find the culprits.
Good story but short on facts.Donald2000